Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Omar Hilale, stated that under the Leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has demonstrated determination, seriousness, solidarity, and willpower in dealing with the effects of the earthquake that struck several regions of the Kingdom.
In a statement on behalf of Morocco during the general debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 26 in New York, Hilale recalled that “since the first hours of the disaster, His Majesty the King has given His High Directives to mobilize all State services, including the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), government departments, local authorities, public forces, and civil protection.”
The Moroccan ambassador added that the Sovereign instructed all the relevant parties to “take the necessary emergency measures to accelerate rescue operations, evacuate the injured, assist the affected families, and create an inter-ministerial commission to draft and implement an emergency program to rehabilitate and help rebuild destroyed buildings in the affected areas.”
Hilale also noted that the Kingdom, under the Wise Leadership and direct supervision of the Sovereign, had moved on from the rescue and relief stage to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of disaster-affected areas, recalling that His Majesty the King had instructed the activation of a well-thought-out, integrated, and ambitious program designed to provide a strong, coherent, rapid, and proactive response to the effects of this earthquake, with an estimated overall budget of $ 12 billion over five years, the first version of which covers all the affected regions, targeting a population of 4.2 million citizens.
The Moroccan ambassador added that based on a precise diagnosis of needs, the program includes projects to rebuild housing, upgrade affected infrastructure, and strengthen the socio-economic dynamic in the affected regions, adding that funding for this multi-sectoral program will come from appropriations from the general State budget, contributions from local authorities and the Special Solidarity Account dedicated to managing the effects of the earthquake, as well as through donations and international cooperation.
The Moroccan Ambassador also pointed out that His Majesty the King had insisted that the reconstruction operation be carried out in harmony with the region’s heritage and unique architectural features while respecting the dignity of the people and their customs.
Hilale also added that in parallel with these actions, the different components of Moroccan society, both internally and externally, have joined the collective effort to support the stricken populations, in an unprecedented surge of solidarity and national synergy.
On this occasion, the Moroccan ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) conveyed the Kingdom’s thanks and gratitude to their Majesties, Highnesses and Excellencies, Kings, Princes, Heads of State and Government, and ministers, who expressed their solidarity with Morocco and their readiness to support the Kingdom in coping with the effects of this natural disaster.